Throughout the past months in Albany, I have worked to respond to the needs of my constituents
as well as the needs of all New Yorkers.

In remaining committed to achieving results for the people of this State, I have led the way on a
host of issues, most notably responding in a responsible and comprehensive manner to the moral
and legal obligation we have to the education funding system in New York State.

The recent legislative session in the state capital has wrapped up, closing with new laws that will
invest in the future, give New York City schools a fairer share, make our streets safer and reform
state government. It was a productive legislative session that I hope signals a positive change in
direction in the coming months and years.

For the second year in a row, the Legislature passed an on-time budget that gave a fair shake to
all New Yorkers. This bipartisan budget, which was negotiated out in the open in joint conference
committees, provides a record increase in school aid, keeps a college education within reach and
protects health care.

The 2006 legislative session set a positive tone in New York, but there is more to be done. In a
few months, New York will elect a new governor, providing a perfect opportunity to tackle our
challenges with fresh ideas and energy. I look forward to working in partnership with our new
governor to reinvigorate New York.

Once again I am encouraging our children to read during the summer months. Studies have shown
that children perform better in the fall when reading during the summer.

I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable remainder of the summer. I look forward to seeing you in
the district.

Do you know where your milk comes from? José Rivera does. He is the Chair of the NYS Assembly
Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy. If you have any questions or suggestions about food,
farming or nutrition and what the State should be doing to help improve it, please contact our office.

José Rivera Appointed Chair of
the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition

José Rivera’s on-going battle to assure that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to eat
nutritionally came one step closer when Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appointed him
Chair of the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition.

With José Rivera as Chairman, the Task Force will work to improve the quality, accessibility,
safety and affordability of food for all New Yorkers.

Hunger and food insecurity still exist in New York, but José Rivera will work to help all New
York families have access to nutritious food so that everyone can live healthier and more
productive lives.

Teenagers from the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition and the Kingsbridge
Community Center After-School Program were taken on a day trip to visit a dairy farm and
the New York City reservoir, located in Upstate Schoharie County.

After a brief stop for lunch, Assemblyman José Rivera boarded the bus and traveled with the
students through the narrow upstate roads to the Crossbrook Dairy Farm. Then their travels
took them to the New York City reservoir, where they were shown how water is provided for
the City of New York.

To encourage our children to continue reading during the summer months, I have again set
up my Summer Reading Challenge.

When your child has read at least 15 minutes a day during the summer months, call Diane
Gamble in my office @ 718 933-2204 or e-mail her at
gambled@assembly.state.ny.us
and I’ll see that your child receives a certificate.

José Rivera and Naomi Rivera welcome Ron Jordan and the kids from the Northwest
Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition to Albany.

ORGAN DONATION

Nationally, the current waiting list for organs has reached over 90,000 people. In New York
alone, the number of people waiting for a transplant is over 8,000. Nationally, 7,150 people
donated at the time of their deaths and 7,004 people became living donors.

There were over 3,000 tissue and eye donors, which resulted in approximately 15,000 life
saving or enhancing transplants in New York. It is critical for New Yorkers to improve the
donation rate.

If you are interested in becoming a donor, you can sign up for the Registry by calling
1-866-NYDONOR (1-866-693-6667) or by visiting www.health.state.ny.us and clicking on
the “Life Pass It On” logo.

Councilman Joel Rivera and Assemblyman José Rivera Work Together to Combat Childhood Obesity

Councilman Joel Rivera, Chairman of the New York City Council’s Health Committee, and
Assemblyman José Rivera worked side by side in the City Council and the State Assembly to
counteract the growing obesity epidemic, a problem that is threatening the lives of our children
and costing taxpayers billions of dollars a year.

Jointly, the father and son team secured city/state grants of over one million dollars.

Here are a few photos of some of the people who visited me in my Albany office. If you
see yourself here, contact Diane Gamble at 718-933-2204 or
gambled@assembly.state.ny.us
and she will send you a copy of the photo.